9 Operating Systems - 1 Hard-Drive - How do I setup GRUB?

[Panarchy]

Hi

Well I've finally purchased it. Took me 3 months, but I did it!

Nice new internal SATA 1 terrabyte hard-disk-drive :P

Well anyways, I've decided to put 9 operating systems on this hard-drive.

I've spent a lot of time working out the finer details, here is the excel file I made to help myself out in the working out of my partitioning schema: Download (I've included both an .xls and a .xlsx).

And I have also created a perhaps easier to work out version, which you can view below;

Please help me with setting up my /boot/grub folder.

I would also like to know if it would be possible to put a loop into the boot.ini file and the BCD that will take you back to the grub menu. I will also [probably] use EasyBCD to list the OS's from the BCD listings.

Please help me out with doing these two things (especially the GRUB part of it).

Thanks in advance,

Panarchy

[AlanHo]

Should you not add a couple of extra partitions to enable you to install further 2 operating systems. Having just 9 seems a bit mean and lean..............

[andsome]

Should you not add a couple of extra partitions to enable you to install further 2 operating systems. Having just 9 seems a bit mean and lean..............

I would suggest at least fifteen. :lol:

[Panarchy]

Should you not add a couple of extra partitions to enable you to install further 2 operating systems. Having just 9 seems a bit mean and lean..............

:lol:

Should you not add a couple of extra partitions to enable you to install further 2 operating systems. Having just 9 seems a bit mean and lean..............

I would suggest at least fifteen. :lol:

"You guys!!!"

LOL

But anyways, can I please have some serious help with this?

Since this is a windows forum... perhaps you could help me with the windows side of it?

EG: The boot.ini

Thanks in advance,

Panarchy

[jason.b.c]

why are you even worried about the windows "boot.ini" file to begin with...?

the GRUB bootloader will boot every one of those systems without even needing to rely on that file...!!!!

how did you install MAC Leopard in there anyway...?

check this out====> http://www.justlinux.com/forum/showthread....threadid=143973

show us your /boot/menu.lst file...

[Panarchy]

^I have been able in the past to add Mac Leopard to both the GRUB menu and Vista's BCD.

The boot.ini I was worrying about for maximum redundancy. For instanced, if something stuffed up and it booted directly to one of my Microsoft OS partitions, then I'd still like to be able to navigate through my operating systems via whichever 'boot menu' is available to me.

Which is why I'll replace the menu.lst (think that's what it's called) with the same information on every GRUB menu from all the Linuxes (linuxi? linux's?), Solaris's and FreeBSD.

Also, pretty sure Windows 7 uses BCD (not 100% sure as I haven't used it yet) so hopefully EasyBCD will work on that, as I know it will for Windows Vista. Of course, Windows Server will have the boot.ini, so I'll need to add an entry to that which will, at the very least, loop back to one of the GRUB's (or BCD's).

Please help me achieve this.

Thanks in advance,

Panarchy

PS: Remade the xls & xlsx to fit on one A4 page. Download it here!

[Panarchy]

Hi

Well I haven't received a reply for 3 days, so I've decided to update you on the progress, and to ask for some more advice.

I think I've worked out how to add an entry in the boot.ini to 'return/loop-back' to the GRUB menu. It has been worked out by following this guide.

Now all that's left to do is to finish writing GRUB's menu.lst.

Can I get [some more] help on this front?

Thanks in advance,

Panarchy

[-pops-]

I'm somewhat doubtful about any more help anyone will be able to give.

Having a system such as you are trying to achieve is something that few, if any, have, or would, attempt. In this way you are acting something as a pioneer.

If I had wanted a multiple choice O/S computer, I would have approached the problem in a completely different manner and had a removable caddy system and each O/S on a different swappable drive.

[Boris]

I agree with what -pops- has said above.

It is highly unlikely that anyone has previously done what you intend - which would explain the lack of responses you have received.

[andsome]

It takes a bit of understanding the reason for wanting to do this.

[Panarchy]

I'm somewhat doubtful about any more help anyone will be able to give.

Having a system such as you are trying to achieve is something that few, if any, have, or would, attempt. In this way you are acting something as a pioneer.

If I had wanted a multiple choice O/S computer, I would have approached the problem in a completely different manner and had a removable caddy system and each O/S on a different swappable drive.

Ahh! I've never thought myself a pioneer...

Thanks, I truly appreciate the complement.

I agree with what -pops- has said above.

It is highly unlikely that anyone has previously done what you intend - which would explain the lack of responses you have received.

Hmm, I see what you mean. Though there was that one person who did a hundred and something OS's via GRUB... though he had a seperate setup for the Solaris's etc.

But thanks for agreeing with -pops-.

I'll keep you updated on how it goes, and if/when I get it all working, I'll upload my /boot/grub folder.

Wish me luck!

Panarchy

[Panarchy]

Hello

I've changed my partitioning schema for various reasons.

Here is my NEW partitioning schema;

Please help me create my menu.lst, so that I can put it into a LiveCD/BootCD which will contain GRUB and allow me to boot into any partition on my 1TB hard-drive, in case something happens to my computer and I can't access the GRUB menu (e.g. Error 17).

Thanks in advance for any help given in creating my menu.lst,

Panarchy

[andsome]

MADNESS!. :lol:

[Panarchy]

Hahahahaha, thanks! :lol:

Care to help me write the menu.lst?

Thanks in advance,

Panarchy

[andsome]

I have better things to do with my time. :D

[Panarchy]

Okay.

Well if you are ever in the mood to help someone out (and you are on an online support forum) then please have a look at this topic.

Also, if anyone else has some spare time, I would like some help with the creation of my menu.lst.

Thanks in advance,

Panarchy

[andsome]

I am always happy to help when I feel able, but in all seriousness I don't know anyone else who would waste their time on such an escapade. This is why no one is offering to help, because they have never tried such a hare brained idea. :D

[Panarchy]

I'm not wasting my time. Here is some logical reasoning.

By installing these operating systems directly (each has OS has an individual partition) onto my hard-drive, I'll allow for the following advantages;

1. Enable me to use the full power of my computer (unlike Virtualisation)
   
2. I will be learning about multi-booting, using BootCDs and GRUB
   
3. I will be taught about the different file-systems
   
4. I will be prepared with the knowledge needed to partition a hard-drive into 5 or more different file-systems
   
5. I will be enabled with the power to learn more about FreeBSD
   
6. I will be given the means to understand the new Windows 7
   
7. I will be empowered to achieve understanding about the Solaris & OpenSolaris systems
   
8. I will be well facilitated with my learning of Microsoft Server operating systems
   
9. I will be qualified to fix the latest Windows Vista problems/faults
   

Please help me achieve my goals.

Thanks in advance,

Panarchy

NOTE: The first goal for this topic would, of course, be the setting up of my multi-boot system. I have already worked out the logistics, now all I (with your help) need to do is write what needs to be contained within the menu.lst file, so that I can put it inside GRUB4DOS which will be contained on a SYSLINUX disc that I procure. This will allow for, in case any of my GRUB systems become buggy, booting into any partition on my hard-disk. Please expedite my learning.

Thanks in advance!

[Alan2273]

This might help you understand GRUB and multiple booting a little more.

http://docs.huihoo.com/opensolaris/system-...ml/ch11s05.html

I cannot help you with your 9 OS's, as I have never had more than 3 installed, and have not used Solaris.

Best of luck.

[Hb_Kai]

OK, seriousness;

What gave you the idea to install 9 OS' on a single hard drive? I would agree with -pops- The external caddy system would be much more reliable too.

And what if you got a virus which affected your boot settings in the BIOS? I don't know what to expect from a 9 OS dual-boot up though so this may not be a problem.

And from what it seems, each time you ask for help and "update" everyone, with each update that comes you have gotten past the previous bit you had asked help for. So really, in all truth, you can do it if you put your brains to it.

I hope it works for you though.

and maybe you can update us on later projects involving installing Furby's on TV screens?

It could definetely improve some of Saturday Night TV :lol:

[Panarchy]

This might help you understand GRUB and multiple booting a little more.

http://docs.huihoo.com/opensolaris/system-...ml/ch11s05.html

I cannot help you with your 9 OS's, as I have never had more than 3 installed, and have not used Solaris.

Best of luck.

Thanks. Looks very interesting, should be of some help to me!

What gave you the idea to install 9 OS' on a single hard drive?

Because of the very fact that I will run into problems with it. Then I will learn how to fix them, so that if I ever am asked to fix a computer that has a multi-boot setup with 1 or all of the operating systems that I will be building my multi-boot system from at home, then I will understand the problem, and know how to fix it.

And from what it seems, each time you ask for help and "update" everyone, with each update that comes you have gotten past the previous bit you had asked help for.

I've had to ask on other forums, as this forum (lately, used to be very good) has been kind of a disapointment. I keep coming back, hoping to get the same support that I got when I first started on this forum, but alas, that hadn't happened. Well until today when Alan2273 replied.

Please continue to help me, especially with the writing of my menu.lst.

Thanks in advance,

Panarchy

[-pops-]

as this forum (lately, used to be very good) has been kind of a disapointment. I keep coming back, hoping to get the same support that I got when I first started on this forum, but alas, that hadn't happened. Well until today when Alan2273 replied.

Please continue to help me, especially with the writing of my menu.lst.

Thanks in advance,

Panarchy

The reason you haven't received much help with your venture is because, as I wrote previously, you are treading in uncharted territory - a pioneer, if you like as I can't think that anyone else has done, or would want to do, a project such as yours.

[Hb_Kai]

OK. How do you need help with Grub?

And can you not leave loops out of the boot.ini file and just restart your computer to go back to the boot menu?

I also think that loading the boot menu may take some time, and it also may cause a bit of system instability when using any one of these operating systems.

And another thing. What Linux operating systems are you installing? I'm not sure if any others do this but Ubuntu installs a recovery partition with it. I'm also not sure if this takes up an extra partition or is in-built with the usual Ubuntu one.

Another thing:

Is it, the BIOS contacts the OS or does the OS contact the BIOS when it's trying to load the hardware on OS boot?

One last thing:

In your signature, # 4, Make a GRUB boot disc that will allow me to boot into any of my 9 OSs. Why are you doing this?

[Panarchy]

The reason you haven't received much help with your venture is because, as I wrote previously, you are treading in uncharted territory - a pioneer, if you like as I can't think that anyone else has done, or would want to do, a project such as yours.

I have separated your post into bold, and italic. Bold would've been a nice reply, but then you added the italics!

OK. How do you need help with Grub?

And can you not leave loops out of the boot.ini file and just restart your computer to go back to the boot menu?

Nope. As I think it best to, at the very least, have loops all over the place! So in case one GRUB menu gives me an error, I can just go to another GRUB menu that won't!

In your signature, # 4, Make a GRUB boot disc that will allow me to boot into any of my 9 OSs. Why are you doing this?

Well again, for the error I might get from the GRUB menus. Only yesterday, I couldn't boot because of Error 22. And I've been getting Error 17 for a long time now, on another computer in the house.

I did end up fixing it, by running the FIXBOOT and FIXMBR commands via the Windows Recovery features on the XP x64 disc. However, this brought back the windows boot menu NTLDR (same boot.ini).

So if I were to have the GRUB menu on the disc, and if I could make it 'perfect', then I would always have redundancy to fall back on. B)

I also think that loading the boot menu may take some time, and it also may cause a bit of system instability when using any one of these operating systems.

I've never heard of system instability caused by a boot-loader. Can I have some more info please?

And another thing. What Linux operating systems are you installing? I'm not sure if any others do this but Ubuntu installs a recovery partition with it. I'm also not sure if this takes up an extra partition or is in-built with the usual Ubuntu one.

No, I'm pretty sure that it just boots with different settings. It's a bit like [Windows] safe-mode, only more advanced (and no GUI).

Another thing:

Is it, the BIOS contacts the OS or does the OS contact the BIOS when it's trying to load the hardware on OS boot?

Hmm... I'm not sure what you are trying to work out. The BIOS contacts the hard-drive, the hard-drive contacts the OS.

Panarchy

[andsome]

This is going to go on and on as many Panicky topics have in the past. It's madness and pointless. :D